Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Lightsaber for cops

LOS ANGELES police have unveiled their latest tool in the fight against crime - a flashlight powerful enough to stun suspects but too lightweight to beat them with.

The new flashlight, developed specifically for the Los Angeles Police Department and expected to be acquired by police forces around the world, replaces the heavy 13-inch (33-cm) metal flashlights controversially used by city officers to strike a car theft suspect three years ago.

At 8.6 inches (22 cm) long and weighing 10.4 ounces (295 grams), the new 7060 LED flashlight is more than 50 percent lighter than the old model, has a rugged polymer casing and produces a blindingly bright light.